Boise Idaho Temple
The Boise Idaho Temple is the 27th operating temple of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
Mormon leaders discussed building a temple in the western section of Idaho as early as 1939. But with the majority of the membership in the eastern part of Idaho, the leaders decided against it and concentrated on building the Idaho Falls Idaho Temple. Members in the Boise area were told that a temple would be built in their area when the membership of the Church increased substantially.
Forty-five years later Church leaders announced that a temple would be built in the Boise area. Church leaders wanted a site that would be easily accessible to travelers. After considering numerous locations, they decided on a property that was near an exit from Interstate 84. This location was ideal for those traveling along the highway, and it provided a visible landmark for pilots at the nearby airport.
The Boise Idaho Temple was the first of a new six-spired design that and served as a pattern for fourteen other temples built between 1984 and 1989. The design sought to maximize efficiency and space and could also be built at a much lower cost and in a shorter amount of time.
Seventy thousand visitors were expected to tour the temple during the nineteen-day open house. Instead, over 128,000 attended. Because of the open house, interest in the Mormon Church soared. The Boise Idaho Temple was dedicated May 25, 1984, by Gordon B. Hinckley. After the dedication, attendance at the temple was much higher than expected. So in October 1986, the temple was closed for renovation. After opening in 1987, the temple was able to serve more than 100,000 members in southwestern Idaho and part of eastern Oregon.
The Boise Idaho Temple has a total of 35,325 square feet, four ordinance rooms, and four sealing rooms.
Temples in Idaho
- Boise Idaho Temple
- Burley Idaho Temple
- Idaho Falls Idaho Temple
- Meridian Idaho Temple
- Montpelier Idaho Temple
- Pocatello Idaho Temple
- Rexburg Idaho Temple
- Teton River Idaho Temple
- Twin Falls Idaho Temple
